The Durham star is on international duty with England's World Cup squad in the West Indies following his brilliant form Down Under when he helped his side to a 2-0 victory over Australia in the one-day series to help make up for the humiliating 5-0 Ashes whitewash.

Alan, of Marton-in-Cleveland, near Middlesbrough, suffers from a hereditary condition called polycystic kidney disease.

His health worsened recently and it was when he was told he would need to go on renal dialysis or have a transplant that his son offered to donate one of his kidneys.

It came after tests showed that the 49-year-old's two brothers and sister have the condition and were unable to donate.

People who donate a kidney usually suffer no ill-effects but are advised by doctors to protect their remaining kidney and to avoid such things as rough-contact sports.

Plunkett, a former chemical technician with ICI, said: "The only person in my family who could give me a kidney is Liam.

"He offered but I said 'thanks but no thanks'.

"It was an amazing thing to do but I could not accept because I'd be worried it would affect his cricket career.

"Instead I am awaiting dialysis until a new kidney become available which could be about two years away."

Plunkett had travelled to Australia to see Liam in action but was unable to follow his son in the Caribbean because of his condition.

He said: "I would love to be able to see him play but because I am waiting for dialysis I won't be able to do any travelling.

"I'm just pleased I managed to get to Australia last year for a month when he was there."

The father and son are so close that Liam has just bought a house on the outskirts of Middlesbrough, a short distance from his parents' home.